Category Archives: Favorite Destinations

West Elm Opening Celebration

Rob, Katerina, Lauren and I attended an exciting preview party at the new West Elm store in Durham last night. We, along with numerous other excited party goers had a marvelous time experiencing their products L-I-V-E rather than just drooling over the catalog. A DJ was spinning tunes and we noshed on food and local drinks while selecting our must have home items!

Above- their living green wall we’re obsessing over, and the gorgeous invitation to the event printed on wood veneer.

 



Above- A few favorite items from the store.

Go check out the new Bull City store for yourself!

 

 

What West Elm products can you not live without?

I’m a huge fan of their Parsons desks and consoles- I have one in my room and the lacquered finish still looks new! -Brittany

 

Design Inspiration: Boston, Massachusetts

Every time I travel, I always take note of the architecture within a city. I recently traveled to Boston for the weekend and was fascinated with the historic architecture and the little details I discovered along the way.  These pictures do not even begin to scrape the surface of the rich culture and history of Boston. I guess that opens the door for another trip in the near future. Enjoy the inspiration though!

Until my next trip to Boston….

Also, if you have design discoveries or nuances about the city for my next trip, please do share!

Hilaire

images: DLL

Drool Worthy Weekly: 2010 Winter Olympics Inspiration

We should yet again receive Gold medals in  Olympic Sport Spectating. I asked the Design Lines team to answer the following question: What 2010 Winter Olympics event have you enjoyed watching the most?

Hilaire’s answer was half-pike Snowboarding, Laurie & Molly answered that they adore watching the mens & women’s snowboarding events, as well.  How about those US Snowboarding team jackets?  We found them to be cool and fashion forward- it would fit right at home in this child’s study designed by Judy & Lauren.

Plaid-US Snowboarder & Plaid Room

Lauren’s answer to my question: ” Ice skating & Apolo Ohno- I know he’s not an event, but still.” Apolo Ohno has won his fair share of Olympic medals (the Vancouver medals shown below) but who doesn’t want to go for the Gold with this fabulous Fang Gourd Table Lamp in Antique-Burnished Brass with Natural Paper Shade from Visual Comfort?

Gold Medal-Gold Visual Comfort Lamp

Personally, I like watching the  ski jumping and the women’s Aerial.  I find both events to be thrilling- though I’m happy when they land on the ground again.  Wouldn’t it be great if the Olympic inspired Rio rug from our friends at Niba Rugs in warm Miami was underfoot?

Olympic Rings

Ashley’s favorite:” Curling, it is so amazing & addicting.”  Judy has been watching figure skating and has been cheering on the US Hockey team on its way to a gold medal! Go Team USA!  Check out Jasper John’s beautiful interpretations of the American flag:

Jasper Johns Flags

What’s your favorite Olympic Sport to watch? For our 2008 Summer Olympics Inspiration from China, click here.

-Brittany

 

Design Lines Visits the Heart of Texas {San Antonio}

BPNLogoLowRes

Judy and Hilaire spent this past weekend in the deep heart of Texas –  San Antonio for the annual BPN (Best Practices Network) Winter Conference led by Designing Profits, Inc. CEO David Shepherd.

 They were in all day sessions advancing their knowledge of business strategies, marketing, communications and operations. The network brings together the best interior designers throughout the United States to share best practices in interior design.

If you are ever interested, the city of San Antonio has a flickr stream and YouTube Channel that you must check out! To me San Antonio was like the American Venice. We thoroughly enjoyed our time!

 

 David Shepherd at BPN Conference in San Antonio, Texas

(Above Designing Profits, Inc. CEO David Shepherd about to award the golden sombrero.)

 

Texas BPN Conference in San Antonio, Texas

(Above Hilaire on day 2 of the conference, thank goodness my brain hadn’t exploded yet.)

 

BPN 2010 Winter Conference Judy

(Above left to right: Three ASID Fellows – Robert Wright,

Diane Gote and Judy. Still learning after all these years.)

 

Diane Gote and Judy Pickett

(Judy and her dear friend Diane Gote from NJ.)

 

I love my job!: Molly’s Helicopter Ride At Lake Gaston


I have to wonder if there are many other professions where you get to work on fabulous projects from beginning to end, interact with amazing clients and develop relationships with so many talented people. This is then topped only by… yes… a helicopter ride with some of these people to view the finished projects.

Check out these great shots taken through the tree canopies at beautiful Lake Gaston. I will admit I was a little nervous, but I quickly got beyond the butterfly stomach and could focus on the opportunity at hand.




Charleston: Smith Killian Art Gallery (My Favorite!)

I just got back from a week at our place on Kiawah Island just 21 miles south of Charleston. It it one of my favorite places on earth. While I am there I cannot resist going gallery hopping in Charleston…and my favorite gallery is Smith Killian Gallery. Pieces by two of the featured artists, Betty Anglin Smith and Shannon Smith have made it into my private collection….
my newest piece is by Shannon Smith called Seven a.m. I will feature it as soon as it arrives.

Below are some of their most recent works. Leigh, director of the gallery is great to work with and I know she would love to send some art to Raleigh for you to see! Call me and I will be glad to arrange it.

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The Gallery at 9 Queen Street, Charleston

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Weighing Shrimp by Shannon Smith

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Low Tide by Betty Anglin Smith

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Dock Mates and Fish Market by Shannon Smith

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Full Moon Rising, II by Betty Anglin Smith

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Last Light by Betty Anglin Smith

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